Classes
Combining Torah scholarship with a multi-faceted approach from the humanities, Joshua Sussman offers courses which are unique in the Jewish lecture scene. Joshua holds a master's degree in violin performance and musicology and has studied art, history and languages. Whether exploring a classic Jewish text or presenting from his violin, Joshua weaves these wider disciplines into a rich, fascinating lesson.
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The below is a only sampling of the classes Joshua offers. He is able and exited to offer other classes based on a proposed topic to coincide with a Parsha, holiday, community Torah initiative or life cycle event.
The Chassidic Niggun
An exploration of the function, spiritual goals and musical techniques of the niggun repertoire. Discover what Kabbalah and Chasidism has to say about music. Use academic musicological tools of analysis to uncover hidden esspresivity and symbolism in niggunim. Hear the folklore Chassidim have associated with their song for three centuries.
Onomatopoeia in the Tanach
The sounds of letters and words have long added to the expressive potency of the greatest prose and poetry. Learn about the sounds in the Jewish Bible--how Rashi interprets onomatopoeia in the Chumash; King David sprinkles the Psalms with meaningful "noises"; and words throughout the Jewish Scriptures truly sound like what they mean. We will reveal the depth conveyed by words from their pronunciations.
The Jewish "Mixed" Marriage
What happens when a Jewish husband and Jewish wife approach their Judaism in different ways--regarding halacha observance, stream or spirituality? How might a couple negotiate differences and even grow closer despite--or maybe because of--differences?
Learning How to Learn
Using practice techniques Joshua encountered in his musical and Torah training, this course opens up techniques to acquaint the student with Torah concepts and terminology.
Radical Concepts in Chassidism
While we Jews pray faithfully, learn Torah and practice kindness, sometimes our traditions of spirituality and mysticism remain obscure to us. This class presents some of our beautiful, profound and inspirational spiritual teachings: what is a soul? How are we united? What makes Judaism special?
Comparative Religion
We have heard the adage, "Religions are all the same, with different packaging." This class presents some possibilities that Judaism is unique and presents spiritual concepts scarcely found in other spiritual traditions.